Photographing a portrait session on a beach, even at sunset, can lead to quite a few similar looking shots. How can you add a little spice to some of the shots? Topaz Adjust 3 makes it quite easy actually, as it has a "spicify" filter right in it. I used that filter among others to process the above candid portrait of two brothers who added their own kind of spice to every shot I took of them with their great energy and playfulness.
Steps for making the above shot:
- import RAW file into Aperture 3
- applying sharpening, exposure & shadow adjustments using the simple sliders
- use the polarizing filter in Nik Color Efex Pro 3
- send that image to Photoshop CS4 as a 16-bit TIFF
- apply unsharp mask at 68%
- apply the spicify filter in Topaz Adjust 3
- dodge the boys to make them stand out a little (save file)
- adjust hue and red channel in Aperture 3, export jpg
Below is the non-spicified version:
So what do you think of the spicify filter in Topaz Adjust 3? Did it help or hurt the portrait? Or did it simply offer an alternative version of a shot? Please let me know what you think and why in the comments below.